WASHINGTON — The US Department of Agriculture recently announced a partnership with the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) plans to place five scientists in each of the five NAHLN regions to work on animal diseases.
“We are thrilled to announce this partnership,” said Rosemary Sifford, DVM, USDA’s chief veterinarian. “Our goal is to ensure all network laboratories are poised to combat the threat of transboundary and emerging diseases to protect our nation’s agricultural and food supply systems.”
A review team made up of experts from APHIS, NBAF and NAHLN identified five key NAHLN facilities across the country that will each host a scientist to work on this project. The scientists will work on evaluating and developing diagnostics for animal and zoonotic diseases.
The agency added that the partnership will collaborate across the organizations and calculate local, regional, national and international threats. They will also ensure the NAHLN laboratories have the tools necessary to diagnose emerging threats.
The NAHLN coordination team selected the following laboratories to participate:
- Region 1: Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center/New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
- Region 2: Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services
- Region 3: Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
- Region 4: Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
- Region 5: Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
APHIS stated it would fund this project with NBAF partnerships and innovation funds as part of an overall strategy to help prevent animal pests and diseases from entering the United States and reduce the spread and impact of potential disease incursions through advance planning and preparedness.
More information about the partnership can be found here.
